Kurdistan flag protected Kirkuk from terrorist attacks: President Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani on Wednesday released a statement, declaring the raising of the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk was legal.

President Barzani mentioned the decision of raising the Kurdish flag on state buildings in Kirkuk was something normal and legal, not a new subject.

“Even after the fall of the former Iraqi regime in 2003, especially after the emergence of Da’esh, the Kurdistan Flag has been present in Kirkuk,” read the statement.

“It was the same flag that protected Kirkuk from the threat and attacks of terrorists,” the report continued.

The President called on parties in Kirkuk not to exaggerate the event or instigate tension and fragmentation between the ethnic and religious groups in the province.

President Barzani also noted no party should use the case for their personal political agenda.

He urged groups to deepen and protect the culture of coexistence, brotherhood, and peace among the components of Kirkuk.

The Kirkuk Council held a session on Tuesday where members approved the resolution with majority votes.

However, some of the Turkmen and Arab members boycotted the meeting.

Both the Governor and head of the Kirkuk Council told reporters the move did not contradict the constitution of Iraq.

They mentioned Kirkuk was a disputed territory between Baghdad and Erbil and both flags should be raised until it was decided whether the province would be under the federal government of Iraq or the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

On Wednesday, some Turkmen people demonstrated in front of the Kirkuk Governorate office, calling the council’s decision unconstitutional.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany